1868 $5 J-659 PR (PCGS#60877)
The March 2011 Baltimore Auction
- Auctioneer
- Stack's Bowers
- Lot Number
- 6026
- Grade
- PR63
- Price
- 6,900
- Lot Description
- 1868 Pattern Half Eagle. Judd-659, Pollock-732. Rarity-7-. Proof-63 (NGC). On the obverse a bust of Liberty faces left with the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the border and the date 1868 below. A ribbon inscribed LIBERTY binds Liberty's hair, and there is a star at the top of her head. The reverse exhibits the dual denomination 5 DOLLARS / 25 FRANCS within a wreath of oak and laurel leaves. Struck in aluminum with a plain edge.<br /> A dusting of pale-silver tinting is largely confined to the reverse, allowing the obverse to display a bold cameo finish. Both sides are fully struck with only trivial blemishes, many of which are confined to the obverse border.<br /> The first attempt at an international coinage by the United States Mint, the dual denomination pattern Half Eagles of 1868 were created subsequent to a convention held in Paris in June of 1867. The participating nations agreed that the French Franc should serve as the basis for this proposed coinage, which in the end never advanced past the pattern stage. Survivors of the Judd-659 aluminum, plain edge type are though to number no more than 12 coins.
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